Cigars In a Nutshell - A Taste of Integrity Part 5 Caring for the Cigar Caring for the Cigar
It isn't enough that you know the color, size, shape and taste of a cigar; you should also, know how to care for your cigars.
You should know how to maintain and care for the cigar's integrity, cutting the cigar, lighting the cigar and storing the cigar. Otherwise, your well spent monies might just go up in smoke with no enjoyment of the cigar. To get full enjoyment, one must cut the cigar properly, light the cigar properly, and store and protect the cigar properly. The proper respect of your cigars through care and understanding will bring great benefits to the smoking of your cigar. A great cigar can be one of the greatest moments of pleasure you will ever enjoy.
Cutting, Lighting and Storing Cigars
Cutting the Cigar
There is an art to the cutting or clipping of a cigar. One may use their teeth as a cutting device. But, this may cause damage to the cigar by tearing the cap and wrapper. Besides, what do you do with the bit of tobacco stuck in your mouth and teeth? If there is one thing about enjoying cigars one must at all times maintain good manners. Clipping the cigar with your teeth is not a good choice and is not good manners. The goal of the cut is to clip off enough of the head (the part one puts into their mouth) of the cigar to expose the filler leaves, but just enough of the head or cap to keep the wrapper intact. There are basically three types of cuts that you can make: 1. The Guillotine Cut, a straight-across slice taking off most of the head of the cigar; 2. The "V" Cut, where a "V" wedge is cut into the cigar's head; and 3. The Pierce Cut, where a hole is punched into the center of the cigar head.
The most practical cut is the guillotine cut which exposes an ample surface of the cigar to make for an easy draw and the enjoyment of the full flavor of the cigar. Be sure to get an excellent cutter that can handle the largest gauge cigars. The larger gauges are the hardest to cut because of their size.
The "V" cut is considered the best cut. The "V" cut provides an adequate draw while providing a gathering spot for the bitter tars to be kept away from the smoker's tongue.
The pierce cut is one of the oldest methods of cutting the cigar. Even though it is technically not a cut, but is boring or punch of a hole into the head of the cigar. It can be done on any gauge cigar but it has its drawbacks. The most noteable drawback is that it acts as a collection point of rancid acids of the tobacco juices. This can affect the taste of the cigar the longer the smoke. One other problem is that the tobaccos may be crushed which can interfere with the draw and enjoyment of the smoke.
Try on or all of the methods and find what works best for you. Remember the reason for cutting the cigar in the first place is to get the draw of smoke that is best for you. Always, clip the cigar above the line on the cigar head where the cap joins the wrapper. Do not cut into the wrapper it can cause the cigar to unwind and fall apart.
Lighting the Cigar
A cool smoke is the goal of a perfect light. One should never let the cigar touch the flame. Hold the cigar at a 45 degree angle point up above the flame. The best flame to use is an odorless butane lighter. It burns clean and it is odorless. If you must use matches make sure it is wooden cedar smoker's matches. Using two matches will give you a broader flame. After striking the matches allow the flame to die down until all the sulfur at the tip of the matches is gone. Slowly rotate the foot (the part that does not go into the mouth) of the cigar over the tip of the flame. Do not draw on the cigar yet. Continue to slowly rotating the cigar gently toasting the foot and drying out the filler so that it will be receptive to the flame. Rotating and toasting the foot of a large gauge cigar is very important in it enables you to see visibly that the entire foot has been warmed. With the foot warmed you can see gentle wisps of smoke beginning to appear, place the head of the cigar between your lips and slowly draw or suck in air drawing smoke from the foot of the cigar. Hold the cigar over the flame rotate the cigar and gently puff the cigar making sure the entire circumference of the foot of the cigar is aglow. Your cigar is now properly lite. Sit back and sip the full, rich flavor of your cigar like you would slowly sip a fine cognac or wine or even a great cup of espresso.
Storing the Cigar
Cigars are a natural agro-food and will smoke wonderfully or poorly depending on the care given to them. There are two basic storage needs a cigar smoker must have. A method of getting your cigars to the place where you like to smoke and how to keep your extra cigars until you are ready to smoke.
A cigar case whether telescoping, multi-fingered, open, or with dividers, tubular or any combination of the above should suffice for carrying your cigars. The case should easily fit the largest number and size cigars you like to smoke.
A well constructed humidor will solve your second need of storage. The humidor must meet three basic requirements. It must provide a constant and reliable source of humidity. It must be airtight. And it must hold a realistic number of cigars and sizes you smoke. A humidor lined with cedar makes a wonderful spicing agent for aging your cigars. A good rule of thumb for the size of a humidor is that its better to have a bigger rather than a smaller humidor. You will find you always find a cigar you must try and friends will give you cigars they know you like as gifts. Besides, you can always buy more cigars to fill it up. The look of your humidor is up to your personal taste and budget. Some practical features in a humidor are: a tray providing the option of different levels to store your cigars; slots or well holes allowing a unit to breath; a felt bottom on the outside of the humidor to protect the humidor and the item upon which the humidor is placed. Remember you are not buying a box to look pretty but a humidor to keep your cigars at their best. Your humidor should maintain your cigars at their peak "smoke-ability."
If you plan on storing cigars over a long period of time you should make sure your humidor is able to provide and environment of 70 to 72 percent humidity and temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit for the best long storage of your cigars. The humidity and temperature control will help prevent the drying out of the cigars and prevent the hatching of tobacco beetles and herbarium beetles. These insects are capable of damaging stored tobacco in both raw material and manufactured products, and can be found in any of its phases: egg, larva, pupa and adult. I have seen thousands of dollars worth of cigar thrown out because the damage these beetles can cause. Should you purchase a cigar and get what is called a "flamer" it is due to the holes bored into the cigar by this insect. Return this product quickly to the merchant and get it replaced or a refund of the monies paid. This is a serious situation. If you get an infestation of these beetles you may lose all of your cigars. Prevent these bettles by having a humidor that can maintain the proper humidity and temperature. If your humidor does not have a hygrometer properly calibrated correctly to 70% make sure you get it calibrated. Dial-type hygrometers can be off as much as 20%. Verify before you trust your prized cigars to hygrometer. Also you can freeze your cigars for a period of no more that three day to kill these insects. Make sure your cigars are in an air tight container and re-stabilize the cigars in a humidor for a few days before attempting to light and enjoy your cigars.
Take care of your cigars and your cigars will provide you a great smoke. Your cigar is a great work of art and integrity.
Next In Cigars In a Nutshell - A Taste of Integrity Part 6 we will get into Enjoying the Smoke.
Happy Health and Happiness
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